The Top 25 2011 College Football Recruiting Classes: October Edition
Another month brings another edition of the top 25 2011 recruiting classes.
While things have slowed down since the end of the summer, with coaches and prospects focused on their respective 2010 seasons, there have still been quite a few commitments in the last month, and as a result, some shifting in the rankings.
Texas is still No. 1, but the gap is closing and quite a few programs have put together some star-studded classes to matchup with the Longhorns.
Here's the October edition of the top 25 classes.
No. 16-25
1 of 16
16. Pittsburgh
17. Washington
18. Mississippi
19. USC
20. Mississippi State
21. Arkansas
22. Nebraska
23. Tennessee
24. Virginia
25. Iowa
15. Texas Tech
2 of 16
5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 6
3-Star Commitments: 12
Top Offensive/Defensive Recruits: Kenny Williams, RB / James Castleman, DT
Texas Tech got of to a really quick start with their 2011 recruiting class, with all but one of their top recruits committing before mid-May.
Since then, the Red Raiders have brought in several 2-star and 3-star recruits, but all of their headliners have been on the books for quite a while.
With Tommy Tuberville at the helm you would've expected more defensive names on the books, but all but one of the schools top prospects come on the offensive side of the ball.
4-star running back Kenny Williams, 4-star tight end Jace Amaro, and 4-star center Tony Morales are all ranked in the top 15 at their position
14. North Carolina
3 of 16
5-Star Commitments: 1
4-Star Commitments: 4
3-Star Commitments: 11
Top Offensive/Defensive Recruits: Kiaro Holts, OT / Christian Russell, OLB
The Tar Heels are known for their defense, but in 2011 they're bringing a strong offensive class to the table headlined by 5-star left tackle Kiaro Holts. Holts is one of the top-rated offensive lineman in the country and should develop into a staple of North Carolina's offensive line.
He's joined by a top 10 ranked offensive guard in Landon Turner, another solid offensive tackle in Jamar Lewter, and two very talented and promising quarterbacks in Marquise Williams and Everett Golson.
Those are the names to pay the most attention to when considering North Carolina's recruiting class, but don't discount the potential of a long list of 3-star talent.
North Carolina doesn't have any top-end defensive talent, but there's some promise with a few 3-star recruits.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
13. Oklahoma State
4 of 16
5-Star Commitments: 1
4-Star Commitments: 5
3-Star Commitments: 11
Top Offensive/Defensive Recruits: Herschel Sims, RB / Lyndell Johnson, S
Oklahoma State hasn't had a commitment since July, but the Cowboys still have one of the top classes in the country.
It begins with star running back Hershel Sims. Sims is a highlight just waiting to happen and a player who thrives in big games and saves his best for clutch moments. He'll be a thorn in the side of the entire Big 12 for years.
The Cowboys also have J.W. Walsh at quarterback, rated top 10 at his position, one of the best offensive guards in the country in Travis Cross, and high-upside receiver Desmond Roland.
On defense, Oklahoma State balances out their class with 4-star safety Lyndell Johnson, 4-star defensive end Jimmy Bean, and 4-star cornerback Mikeatavius Jones, all of whom are rated top 25 at their position.
12. Auburn
5 of 16
5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 7
3-Star Commitments: 7
Top Offensive/Defensive Recruits: Kiehl Frazier, QB / Justin Garrett, OLB
Auburn doesn't have the numbers that some of the schools behind them have, but what they do have is one of the best playmakers in the country in quarterback Kiehl Frazier.
He's one of the most underrated players in the country and he'll have the chance to be a really solid player for the Tigers right from the get-go.
Frazier is a born winner and if the Tigers fail to gain a single further commitment they'll still be winners with him on board.
Add in center Reese Dismukes, rated top five at his position, and tight end C.J. Uzomah, who has the potential to be the best tight end of the 2011 class, and Frazier looks like he has some good building blocks; that doesn't even include some good pieces on defense as well.
11. Clemson
6 of 16
5-Star Commitments: 2
4-Star Commitments: 2
3-Star Commitments: 9
Top Offensive/Defensive Recruits: Mike Bellamy, RB / Grady Jarrett, DT
Clemson doesn't have a whole lot of top-end talent, but the pieces they do have are all some of the best out there. The Tigers have one of the best playmakers in the country in Mike Bellamy as well as 5-star rated receiver Charone Peake.
Bellamy is one of the fastest, most electric prospects in the country and Peake complements his skill set perfectly with a deadly set of hands.
With Eric Maclin, ranked as the No. 3 tight end on Rivals, and running back Marlin Lane, another top back, the Tigers have four of the best offensive weapons in the country and players who complement each other's skill sets to a tee.
Sometimes it's not just about how highly rated a class is, but whether it meshes. And this one meshes.
10. Florida State
7 of 16
5-Star Commitments: 1
4-Star Commitments: 5
3-Star Commitments: 10
Top Offensive/Defensive Recruits: James Wilder, ATH / Karlos Williams, S
FSU is still in the running for some of Florida's best talent, including 5-star linebacker Tony Steward, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the Seminoles ranked in the top five by National Signing Day.
So far they have some of the best athletes in the country committed, and fans should be excited for it.
With 5-star safety Karlos Williams, 4-star offensive tackle Bobby Hart, 4-star receiver Rashad Greene, and 5-star defensive end Terrance Smith on board, FSU has five of the top 100 commitments to this point.
That's of course including James Wilder, one of the top five prospects in the nation who will be lining up at running back.
9. Florida
8 of 16
5-Star Commitments: 2
4-Star Commitments: 7
3-Star Commitments: 5
Top Offensive/Defensive Recruits: Jeff Driskel, QB / Jeoffery Pagan, DE
The Gators picked up steam over the summer, collecting 10 commitments since the start of June. Before June Florida had only four names on the books for their 2011 class, but two of them were 5-star quarterback Jeff Driskel and 4-star defensive end Jeoffery Pagan.
Pagan is one of the most intriguing prospects in the country, as he's only played one year on defense and has a very, very high ceiling.
With Driskel, as well as a diverse class of solid talent on both sides of the ball, Florida is setting themselves up for a great 2011 class. It may not be up to their usual standards over the last few years, but it's still one of the top classes in the country.
8. Georgia
9 of 16
5-Star Commitments: 1
4-Star Commitments: 8
3-Star Commitments: 6
Top Offensive/Defensive Recruits: Christian LeMay, QB / Corey Moore, S
Georgia is in the running for a few blue-chip prospects, so the Bulldogs still have the chance to pass LSU and maybe even Alabama for the top spot in the conference.
It remains to be seen how it will play out, but with Alabama and Georgia battling for 5-star running back Isaiah Crowell, that could be the difference when it comes to 2011 recruiting.
As of now, 5-star quarterback Christian LeMay, a top three player at his position, is the highlight of the Bulldogs class. LeMay has the potential to be one of the top players of the class; he's got a very, very high ceiling.
Add in 4-star safety Corey Moore, 4-star cornerback Nick Marshall, and 4-star linebacker Amarlo Herrera, all ranked in the top 15 at their position, and Georgia has a solid all-around class.
7. Stanford
10 of 16
5-Star Commitments: 0
4-Star Commitments: 8
3-Star Commitments: 14
Top Offensive/Defensive Recruits: Evan Crower, QB / James Vaughters, MLB
Stanford has 22 commitments to this point, which is one of the highest totals in the country. They may not have any 5-star talent on the books, but the Cardinal are buying in bulk and the quantity makes up for the slight lack of quality.
James Vaughters headlines the class and is one of the top middle linebacker in the country; with a solid senior year he'll emerge as a 5-star talent.
Stanford also has Evan Crower, who is rated top 10 at his position, at quarterback, tight end Charlie Hopkins, offensive tackle Brendon Austin, receiver Ty Montgomery, and running backs Amir Carlisle, Remound Wright, and Kelsey Young; all 4-star talents.
For a team that relies on their offense, the Cardinal should be delivering more of the same in 2011.
6. Louisiana State
11 of 16
5-Star Commitments: 2
4-Star Commitments: 5
3-Star Commitments: 8
Top Offensive/Defensive Recruits: La'El Collins, OT / Anthony Johnson, DT
LSU really should have five 5-star talents because receiver Jarvis Landry, running back Kenny Hilliard, and outside linebacker Trevon Randle are disrespected by not receiving another star.
Landry might be a little small and not as fast as some of the other receivers in the country, but he might go down as the best in the bunch. The guy gets it done regardless of the situation and definitely puts together the most impressive highlight reel.
Hilliard and Randle are in the same mold. They're gamers who will shine at the next level regardless of the flaws some scouts are pointing out.
WIth La'El Collins, who's at worst the second best offensive tackle in the class, and defensive tackle Anthony Johnson, rated top five at his position, the Tigers have the makings of a very well-rounded and extremely high-potential class.
5. Oklahoma
12 of 16
5-Star Commitments: 2
4-Star Commitments: 6
3-Star Commitments: 10
Top Offensive/Defensive Recruits: Brandon Williams, RB / Frank Shannon, S
Oklahoma has two of the top offensive players in the country in running back Brandon Williams and wide receiver Trey Metoyer, both of whom have the chance to be the top prospect at their position when their careers are over.
With quarterback Kendal Thompson, ranked top 15 at his position, tight end Max Stevenson and running back Danzel Williams, the offensive weapons should be strong for the Sooners.
On the defensive side of the ball, Oklahoma has three 4-star defensive tackles and top 25 talent at defensive end, safety, and linebacker.
4. Notre Dame
13 of 16
5-Star Commitments: 1
4-Star Commitments: 10
3-Star Commitments: 8
Top Offensive/Defensive Recruits: Ben Koyack, TE / Aaron Lynch, DE
Most Notre Dame fans are already familiar with the commitments from earlier this year such as tight end Ben Koyack, defensive end Aaron Lynch, running back Justice Hayes, offensive tackle Matt Hegarty, and safety Eilar Hardy.
All of them are ranked in the Top 15 at their respective positions, with Koyack, Lynch, and Hegarty ranking in the Top 10.
But after a quiet month on August, the Irish brought in three 4-star prospects as well as 3-star cornerback Josh Atkinson.
First it was safety George Atkinson, then Atkinson, followed by defensive end Stephon Tuitt, and most recently wide receiver DaVaris Daniels.
3. Ohio State
14 of 16
5-Star Commitments: 2
4-Star Commitments: 10
3-Star Commitments: 5
Top Offensive/Defensive Recruits: Braxton Miller, QB / Steve Miller, DE
Ohio State should be in good shape at the quarterback position for years to come thanks to Braxton Miller committing to follow in Terrelle Pryer's footsteps.
Miller is one of the top overall prospects in the country and hands down the top quarterback of the 2011 class. He's a dangerous dual-threat passer who can dismantle a defense in any number of ways. It all comes down to how the defense wants to lose.
He's joined by a stacked class of talent that includes defensive end Steve Miller, ranked top 5 at his position, the No. 1 center in the country in Brian Bobek, two of the best defensive tackles in the country in Michael Bennett and Chase Farris, as well as their newest addition, safety Ron Tanner, ranked top 10 at his position.
That's just naming the headliners too. The rest of the class is pretty darn good as well.
2. Alabama
15 of 16
5-Star Commitments: 3
4-Star Commitments: 8
3-Star Commitments: 8
Top Offensive/Defensive Recruits: Marvin Shinn, WR / Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, S
The Tide bolstered an already strong class with the addition of 4-star JUCO prospect Jesse Williams and are aligning themselves to continue their defensive excellence.
He joins linebackers Trey DePriest and Brent Calloway along with safety Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix as the Tide's 5-star defensive prospects.
Alabama doesn't have a shot at passing Texas for the No. 1 class, but the Tide can still get even stronger.
The No. 1 rated recruit in the country, Jadeveon Clowney, and the No. 2 running back, Isaiah Crowell, both have Alabama in their top two; with those additions the Crimson Tide would really have something on their hands.
1. Texas
16 of 16
5-Star Commitments: 7
4-Star Commitments: 9
3-Star Commitments: 7
Top Offensive/Defensive Recruits: Malcolm Brown, RB / Desmond Jackson, DT
Just look at these names: Malcolm Brown (RB), Christian Westerman (OT), Desmond Jackson (DT), Sheroid Evans (S), Garrett Greenlea (OT), Leroy Scott (CB), Steve Edmond (LB), Josh Turner (CB), Sedrick Flowers (OG), Quincy Russell (DT), Quandre Diggs (CB), and Cedric Reed (DE).
What do all these players have in common? They're all ranked in the top eight at their respective positions.
That's just a scary amount of talent and it makes it easy to see why many experts believe this might be Mack Brown's best recruiting class yet.
Now all the Longhorns have to do is is fill out the two remaining openings with their top remaining targets and there really isn't anything this team could want for.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
